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Careers In Biology

Table of Contents

Biology Careers, General

Animal Behavior

Biochemistry

Bioinformatics

Biotechnology

Botany

Cytotechnology

Dentistry and Dental Hygiene

Ecology

Environmental Science

Forensic Science and Forensic Anthropology

Genetics

Health Careers, General

Health Information Management

Immunology

Invertebrate Zoology

Laboratory Animal Science

Medical and other Scientific Illustration

Medical Assistant

Medical School

Medical Technology

Medicinal Chemistry

Microbiology

Minority Health Career Programs

  • ETSU Trio Program:  Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program The goal of the McNair program is to increase the attainment of graduate degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society.  Summer Internships:  Available to any eligible undergraduate student from any institution.  Internships typically are 9 weeks during the months of June and July.  The application deadline for summer internships is February 15th.
    • The Pre-Health Outreach Programs Office at East Tennessee State University's Quillen College of Medicine is currently accepting applications for Summer Programs. ETSU-QCOM is located in Johnson City, TN near the Virginia and North Carolina borders and 90 miles east of Knoxville, TN.  The program pipelines offer college level programs for disadvantaged (via HCOP grant funds) students interested in health professional schools.
      • Science Enrichment is a six week (6/4-7/15) program for students who are in the process of taking the professional school prerequisites.  Students will take an Introduction to General Chemistry or Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Physics, Physiology, and Critical Thinking.  In addition, students will receive extensive exposure to career planning via workshops and job shadowing. 
      • Test Prep is a 7.5 week (6/1-7/22) program for students who have completed all the professional school prerequisites and are planning to MCAT, PCAT, GRE, etc.  Students spend the majority of their time in an intense test preparation course using Princeton Review (or similar) materials.  In addition, students participate in admissions workshops, attend the UNC- Duke Health Professions Recruitment Seminar, and participate in other activities to help prepare them for the professional school admissions process. 
      • Doctors of Tomorrow is a six week (5/21-7/1) program for students who have successfully completed a minimum of 60 college hours.  This is a clinical internship program where students spend the majority of their time shadowing physicians and residents in QCOM-affiliated hospitals and clinics and rural/community based sites. 
      • Prematriculation Enrichment is a four week (6/18 - week of 7/15) program for students who have been accepted to and plan to attend ANY US medical school. The program is designed to help ease the transition into the M1 year by offering exposure to first year courses such as Gross Anatomy.
    • Program services, room, board, and partial to full travel reimbursements are provided at NO charge to participants. Students will also receive a stipend for attending.  This opportunity is designed for pre-professional students who are looking for summer opportunities to strengthen their competitiveness.
      Priority deadlines are as follows....
      March 1st for Science Enrichment, Test Prep, and Doctors of Tomorrow and May 1st for Prematriculation Enrichment
      For more information check out our website a      t www.etsu.edu/hcop.  You will find more in-depth descriptions of each of the programs, the application, as well as a wealth of other information.
      Contact:  Celeste Crowe, Assistant Director, Pre-Health Outreach Programs,  Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University     crowec@etsu.edu      423-439-2034
  • Memphis McNair Program:  at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The McNair purpose is to provide undergraduates with effective preparation for doctoral [Ph.D.] study. The long-range McNair goal is to increase the number of first generation, low-income students and students underrepresented in graduate education who earn Ph.D. degrees. Ideally, I seek undergraduates who are science majors, as the research at this academic health science center is based in the biomedical sciences.  However, if local undergraduates can secure a faculty preceptor/mentor with whom to conduct research on their own campus, they are allowed to participate in the MMP, with the understanding that they must be able to come to this campus for non-research activities during the summer.
  • This graduate school preparation program provides “McNair Scholars” with guided summer research internships; mentoring by graduate faculty; sessions on graduate school requirements and expectations; learning skills development in preparation for the Graduate Record Examination and graduate study; and participation in a national McNair Research Conference in July in Knoxville, TN.
    [This is an opportunity for] undergraduate students who are interested in a Ph.D. degree. The priority application deadline for the 2007 summer internship, tentatively scheduled for May 29 - August 3, is FEBRUARY 28th. Applications, however, will be accepted until MAY 1ST on a space available basis. 
    The application materials can be completed online and printed out for mailing. The materials can be found at http://www.utmem.edu/HCP/McNair/mmp_home.html.
  • Health Career Programs for minority or disadvantaged students (links listed by Univ. of Memphis)
  • Office of Health Career Programs, U.T. Memphis.  Links and program descriptions.
  • Partners In Research (PIR) Minority Undergraduate Summer Research Program 
    • This is a full-time, 10-week research experience in a cancer-related laboratory at The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).  This research experience is supplemented by a lecture series on basic cancer topics.  The program is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the participants receive a competitive stipend.  Each student will benefit from cross-college interactions with pharmacy and medical students.  For more information please contact Mary Spann ( SpannMaryH@uams.edu ).
  •  Tennessee Institutes for Pre-Professionals (TIP).  TIP, also called the Tennessee Pre-Health Science Fellowship Program, offers this opportunity to residents of Tennessee who are members of underrepresented groups and wish to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or veterinary medicine. UTHSC actively seeks applications from veterans and from individuals who are historically underrepresented in science and in the health care professions:  underrepresented minority students, non-traditional students, students with disabilities, and students who represent the first in their families to pursue higher education.
  • Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Summer Research Fellowships for Undergraduate Students. 
    • Competitive positions are available annually for research experiences in the biomedical sciences (15 fellowships) and bioinformatics (six fellowships) in laboratories at the three lead BRIN institutions:  UAF, UALR, and UAMS.  This program is sponsored by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources.  Each fellowship includes a stipend, living expenses and supply funds.  A major goal of the INBRE Summer Student Fellowship Program is to involve undergraduate students in Arkansas from groups traditionally underrepresented in science in a stimulating research experience.  For more information, visit  http://brin.uams.edu/students.htm 

Neuroscience

Nursing/Nurse Practitioner

Occupational Therapy

Oceanography

Optometry

  • Southern College of Optometry Contact Elizabeth Richman, Asst. Dir., 1245 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104  (901) 722-3224
  • Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry 1730 M Street N.W., Suite 210,  Washington, DC 20036
  • Optometry Admission Test is offered in a computerized format.  Testing is available year round – you select the date, time, and place that is most convenient for you to test.  You receive your scores immediately after the completion of the test.  Schools receive official score reports within two weeks.  Information about the OAT can be obtained online at http://www.opted.org . 

Paramedic

Parasitiology

Pharmacy/Pharmacology

Physical Therapy

Physician Assistant

Physiology

Podiatry

Public Health

Science Teaching

Science Writing

Summer Internships and Research Programs

  • MHIRT: Research Training Opportunity
    • The Minority Health International Research Training grant to CBU supports undergraduate biology students who are selected to join summer research projects in Brazil and Uganda.  Plan ahead for next year.  (The application deadline is 27 Jan.)
  • Summer 2007 Internship Programs – Clinical and Research (compiled by Dr. Eisen)
  • A listing of Summer Research Programs from Dr. Eisen
  • Online index of Enrichment Programs  - This AAMC Web site includes a database resource to help undergraduate students locate summer enrichment programs on medical school campuses.
  • Health Career Programs for minority or disadvantaged students (links listed by Univ. of Memphis)
  • Co-op/Internship Opportunities for Pre-Medical Studies Students (extensive list of links from Rochester Inst. Tech.)
  • Office of Health Career Programs, U.T. Memphis.  Links and program descriptions.
  • Summer Research Programs List of Links from San Diego State Univ.
  • Internships and Co-ops (Links from Monmouth Univ.)
  • NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs in Biological Sciences (links to sites).  "An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location."
  • The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training Program (IGERT) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) offers Graduate School and Summer research opportunities. IGERT programs provide generous stipend ($30,000 per year) and tuition support for students through the National Science Foundation.  The IGERT website has links to over 100 programs throughout the nation that offer this support.  IGERT Undergraduate REU and Other Summer Research Opportunities
  • ETSU Trio Program:  Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program The goal of the McNair program is to increase the attainment of graduate degrees by students from underrepresented segments of society.  Summer Internships:  Available to any eligible undergraduate student from any institution.  Internships typically are 9 weeks during the months of June and July.  The application deadline for summer internships is February 15th.
    • The Pre-Health Outreach Programs Office at East Tennessee State University's Quillen College of Medicine is currently accepting applications for Summer Programs. ETSU-QCOM is located in Johnson City, TN near the Virginia and North Carolina borders and 90 miles east of Knoxville, TN.  The program pipelines offer college level programs for disadvantaged (via HCOP grant funds) students interested in health professional schools
      • Science Enrichment is a six week (6/4-7/15) program for students who are in the process of taking the professional school prerequisites.  Students will take an Introduction to General Chemistry or Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Physics, Physiology, and Critical Thinking.  In addition, students will receive extensive exposure to career planning via workshops and job shadowing. 
      • Test Prep is a 7.5 week (6/1-7/22) program for students who have completed all the professional school prerequisites and are planning to MCAT, PCAT, GRE, etc.  Students spend the majority of their time in an intense test preparation course using Princeton Review (or similar) materials.  In addition, students participate in admissions workshops, attend the UNC- Duke Health Professions Recruitment Seminar, and participate in other activities to help prepare them for the professional school admissions process. 
      • Doctors of Tomorrow is a six week (5/21-7/1) program for students who have successfully completed a minimum of 60 college hours.  This is a clinical internship program where students spend the majority of their time shadowing physicians and residents in QCOM-affiliated hospitals and clinics and rural/community based sites. 
        Prematriculation Enrichment is a four week (6/18 - week of 7/15) program for students who have been accepted to and plan to attend ANY US medical school. The program is designed to help ease the transition into the M1 year by offering exposure to first year courses such as Gross Anatomy.
    • Program services, room, board, and partial to full travel reimbursements are provided at NO charge to participants. Students will also receive a stipend for attending.  This opportunity is designed for pre-professional students who are looking for summer opportunities to strengthen their competitiveness.
      Priority deadlines are as follows....
      March 1st for Science Enrichment, Test Prep, and Doctors of Tomorrow and May 1st for Prematriculation Enrichment
      For more information check out our website at       www.etsu.edu/hcop.  You will find more in-depth descriptions of each of the programs, the application, as well as a wealth of other information.
      Contact:  Celeste Crowe, Assistant Director, Pre-Health Outreach Programs,  Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University     crowec@etsu.edu      423-439-2034
  • Memphis McNair Program:  at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The McNair purpose is to provide undergraduates with effective preparation for doctoral [Ph.D.] study. The long-range McNair goal is to increase the number of first generation, low-income students and students underrepresented in graduate education who earn Ph.D. degrees. Ideally, I seek undergraduates who are science majors, as the research at this academic health science center is based in the biomedical sciences.  However, if local undergraduates can secure a faculty preceptor/mentor with whom to conduct research on their own campus, they are allowed to participate in the MMP, with the understanding that they must be able to come to this campus for non-research activities during the summer.
    • This graduate school preparation program provides “McNair Scholars” with guided summer research internships; mentoring by graduate faculty; sessions on graduate school requirements and expectations; learning skills development in preparation for the Graduate Record Examination and graduate study; and participation in a national McNair Research Conference in July in Knoxville, TN.
      [This is an opportunity for] undergraduate students who are interested in a Ph.D. degree. The priority application deadline for the 2007 summer internship, tentatively scheduled for May 29 - August 3, is FEBRUARY 28th. Applications, however, will be accepted until MAY 1ST on a space available basis. 
    • The application materials can be completed online and printed out for mailing. The materials can be found at http://www.utmem.edu/HCP/McNair/mmp_home.html.
  • Summer Courses at Gulf Coast Research Lab (for CBU credit) 
    • Applications and the program for summer courses to be taught at the GCRL are available at the GCRL web site.  The course listing includes links to course descriptions including specifics about the pre-requisites (for example 8 or more college cr. hrs. of biology). There is short "May Mester" and two standard summer terms.  You can take only one course per term.  These are all courses related to marine biology.  You can see the "Summer Field Program" list of courses, a course calendar, and information about fees and housing at the GCRL Summer Field Program web site.
      With Bro. Edward's permission, GCRL courses can be used toward your CBU Biology degree!  That is, any of these GCRL courses can be used as a CBU Biology elective.  (See the end of the biology course description in the       CBU catalog.)
  • Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Summer Research Fellowships for Undergraduate Students. 
    • Competitive positions are available annually for research experiences in the biomedical sciences (15 fellowships) and bioinformatics (six fellowships) in laboratories at the three lead BRIN institutions:  UAF, UALR, and UAMS.  This program is sponsored by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources.  Each fellowship includes a stipend, living expenses and supply funds.  A major goal of the INBRE Summer Student Fellowship Program is to involve undergraduate students in Arkansas from groups traditionally underrepresented in science in a stimulating research experience.  For more information, visit  http://brin.uams.edu/students.htm 
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. 
    • The program offers an exciting opportunity to engage in research and graduate level education through oral and written presentations on summer projects and interactions with faculty and graduate students.  The goal is to expose students to graduate level research as a possible career opportunity.  The SURF program runs from June 4, 2007 to August 10, 2007 (10 weeks) and includes a $3,000 stipend.  The application deadline is March 1.  Students can obtain application materials and other valuable information by request or on line through http://www.uams.edu/biochem/summer_research/default.asp.  Contact information:  Grover Paul Miller, Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 516, Little Rock, AR 72205.  office: 501-526-6486; fax: 501-686-8169, MillerGroverP@uams.edu
  • Summer Institutes for Training in Biostatistics sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.  Flier (pdf)  Students learn about the applications of statistical methods in biomedical research through coursework and hands-on experience working with real data collected in major clinical studies. Each of the three program sites has its own unique features, but they all have in common a well-conceived, balanced agenda and an ensemble of outstanding and dedicated investigators and professors who are in charge of this highly successful training program.  All costs are covered: tuition, housing, meals, etc.  For more information please see our program web sites: Boston University - North Carolina State University - University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Summer Research Program in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, June 5-August 11, 2006, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health in Albany, NY.  (Also see the info posted by Dr. Eisen)
  • Emory The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) at Emory University is a ten-week, hands-on training program for students of the sciences.  Participants receive training in research methods, analyze data and present results of their work at a formal research symposium.  Additionally, SURE students participate in weekly seminars on graduate school admissions, science careers and research ethics.  SURE is primarily funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.  Research areas include Biology and Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Anthropology, Psychology and Environmental Studies.
    The SURE program targets sophomores, juniors and seniors majoring in science-related fields.  Women, underrepresented minorities and students with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.  For more information and application materials, please visit     http://www.sciencenet.emory.edu/SURE/ .
    • Applications are due each year in early February.  SURE awards include a $3,000 stipend [see web sites for annual updates] and paid campus housing for the duration of the summer program.
      Contact:  Dr. Cathy Qui?ones, Director, SURE Program, Center for Science Education, Emory University, 1399 South Oxford Road
      Atlanta, GA  30322   Telephone:  404-727-3439   E-mail:  srp@learnlink.emory.edu 
  • Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) announces the 2006 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program.  See the information in the Caduceus Newsletter.
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is designed for students seriously considering graduate school or a career in biomedical research.
    • The SURP faculty includes over 100 active members in the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program. You may choose a faculty scientist from one of the following programs in which to conduct a SURP research project:
      Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics 
      Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology 
      Cellular and Molecular Pathology
      Immunology 
      Molecular Virology and Microbiology 
      Molecular Pharmacology 
  • Summer internships at Jackson-Madison County Hospital, Jackson, TN.  The hospital provides summer internships for pre-professional students (Premed Internship Volunteer Program).  For more information, contact Sandra Atherton at sandra.atherton@WTH.org.
  • Partners In Research (PIR) Minority Undergraduate Summer Research Program 
    This is a full-time, 10-week research experience in a cancer-related laboratory at The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).  This research experience is supplemented by a lecture series on basic cancer topics.  The program is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the participants receive a competitive stipend.  Each student will benefit from cross-college interactions with pharmacy and medical students.  For more information please contact Mary Spann ( SpannMaryH@uams.edu ).  (Also see the info     posted by Dr. Eisen)
  • Pediatric Oncology Education Program (POE) at St. Jude
    • The Pediatric Oncology Education program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital offers a unique opportunity for students preparing for careers in the biomedical sciences, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, allied health, and veterinary medicine to gain biomedical and oncology research experience. The program provides short-term training experiences in either laboratory research or clinical research. 
  • Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock is offering Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships.  Fellowships are open to highly motivated students enrolled in an undergraduate program who wish to gain research experience in pharmacology or toxicology.  Visit  http://www.uams.edu/pharmtox/surf/ for more information and an application. 
  • Summer Institute in Anatomy  Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine announces a summer course for undergraduates in Human Anatomy, June 4 – June 29, 2007. 
    • This four week course is designed to give undergraduate students an introduction to all aspects of human anatomy, and includes demonstrations using human cadavers. A regional approach will be employed, beginning with the thorax and abdomen, continuing with the limbs, and ending with the head and neck. Lectures on each topic will be given in the morning, followed by prosection demonstrations (i.e., dissections prepared by departmental staff and presented to students) on human cadavers in the afternoon. Course materials will also involve hands-on work with human bones, various imaging modalities (e.g., radiographs, CT scans), and computer programs. Student performance will be evaluated by both written and practical (cadaver-based) exams. To allow individualized instruction, the course is limited in enrollment.   Total tuition for the course, which includes the textbook, atlas, and all other supplies (except lab coats), will be $3700, due in full by May 1, 2007.  
  • Tennessee Institutes for Pre-Professionals (TIP).  TIP, also called the Tennessee Pre-Health Science Fellowship Program, offers this opportunity to residents of Tennessee who are members of underrepresented groups and wish to pursue a career in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or veterinary medicine. UTHSC actively seeks applications from veterans and from individuals who are historically underrepresented in science and in the health care professions:  underrepresented minority students, non-traditional students, students with disabilities, and students who represent the first in their families to pursue higher education.
  • University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis, TN) Summer Research Scholarships.  Positions are available to sophomore and above college students interested in learning about becoming a Biomedical Scientist. 
    Stipends of $3,000 (per 10-week full-time internship). Research areas include: Biomedical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cancer Biology & Developmental Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Genetics, Functional Genomics & Proteomics, Integrative Systems Biology, Microbial Pathogenesis, Immunology & Inflammation, Molecular Therapeutics & Cell Signaling, and Neuroscience.
    • Application Deadline is March 6, 2006. For details, contact: Dr. Edward G. Schneider, Phone:  (901) 448-2858, E-mail: eschneider@utmem.edu  For details about UTM graduate programs, go to the College of Graduate Health Sciences webpage at  and click on programs  http://www.utmem.edu/HCP/descriptions.html

Toxicology

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Technology

Wildlife Biology

Zoo Keeping / Zoo Biology
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